Shoda stood outside the mansion, fidgeting and pacing. "What am I gonna do about this date with Elmira…" he muttered to himself, hands running through his hair.
Mira stepped out with Tomas trailing behind. "You're hopeless, really."
Shoda looked up, startled. "Huh… coming from you, that's quite a compliment!"
"Ugh, you're so annoying," Mira groaned. Tomas waved at Shoda, holding up a small picture with scribbles of Shoda and Elmira together.
Shoda's eyes widened. This kid's… scary. He can see the future… He remembered the second time he fought Drayla.
"Ohh, Mira… can you help me find a place in the village and plan out my date with Elmira?" Shoda asked.
Mira smirked, crossing her arms. "Hmph. I thought you wouldn't ask… fine, I'll help."
She's too easy, Shoda thought, a grin spreading across his face.
They made their way to Sarkis village. As they arrived, curious villagers gathered around. Shoda climbed atop a well, clearing his throat.
"Um… testing, testing… hello everyone! Can I get your attention? I'd like to ask a favor. I want to bring a beautiful girl on an outing today, and I'd like your help."
The villagers laughed, shaking their heads. "So that's what this is about!"
Shoda blushed. "Hehe… yeah…"
The villagers quickly got to work, decorating the streets with white daisies—Elmira's favorite—and arranging an aisle from the forest's edge to the village center.
Mira tugged Shoda into a dense part of the forest. "Come here, you big oaf," she said, guiding him through the trees. When they emerged, a stunning oasis lay before them: a small pasture with a huge, clear lake, surrounded by blooming white daisies.
"You owe me this," Mira said, smirking.
Shoda's grin widened. He ran forward, hugging her. "Ohh, Mira! Thank you so much! I'll never forget this!"
"Not on your life, you idiot! Now let go before you break my back. No one will marry me if you do!" she elbowed him lightly in the gut.
"Yeah not with that attitude," Shoda replied sheepishly, rubbing his side.
Meanwhile, back at the mansion, Elmira fidgeted in her room with Lucky at her side. "Ohhh, I'm nervous and excited at the same time. What should I do, Lucky?"
"Breathe in… breathe out… you'll be fine," Lucky said calmly.
Elmira frowned. "I don't think this date is a good idea…"
Suddenly, the door slammed open. Shoda burst out, panting. "Please, my lady… come out!"
Elmira blinked, surprised. "Shoda… what are you doing?"
"I'm here to take you away," he said confidently. He offered his hand. She hesitated, then slowly took it. Lucky smiled and retreated into her pendant for a nap.
Shoda carried Elmira to the carriage. She grabbed a white robe with a hood, fidgeting nervously. Shoda didn't say a word, letting her adjust.
They arrived at the village square. Elmira's eyes widened at the decorations. White daisies lined the streets, and the villagers had transformed the area into a welcoming scene.
He did all this for me… she thought, smiling softly. Shoda is an idiot, but a good idiot.
Shoda lifted the hood from her head. "People of Sarkis village! Are you listening?"
"Yes, sir!" the villagers responded.
Elmira's gaze swept the square, noticing the flowers, the arrangements—so much effort had been put into this.
Shoda stepped forward, voice strong. "My name is Iwamoto Shoda, and this is Elmira Cain. She is the daughter of the ruler of Nordovia, and this is my date. I prepared all of this for her."
A villager murmured, "Isn't she the daughter of the king? That tyrant who caused so much war?"
Shoda's eyes hardened. "So what if she is? She is Elmira. And Elmira is Elmira. Even if you know her father, you don't know her. So who are you to judge?"
Another villager spoke up, voice trembling. "But her father ruined our lives…"
Shoda knelt slightly, meeting their eyes. "That's her father, not her. Elmira is just a shy, timid girl who wants to make friends. Don't judge her for the sins of others."
Elmira remembered her past—how she'd been bullied, left alone, never having friends. Tears welled in her eyes.
"Shoda… is this why you brought me here? To humiliate me?" she asked softly.
"No," Shoda said firmly. "I brought you here to help reconnect you with people. And if they resist, we'll show them your heart."
She looked uncertain. "But what if I'm hurt… again?"
Shoda smiled gently. "We're human. We hurt each other sometimes. But I want to do something for someone I hold precious to my heart."
Her tears softened into a small, genuine smile. Shoda turned to the crowd, voice rising. "Please, give her a chance. If you do, I promise you'll meet the best person in all of Astrae. You won't regret this."
The elder village woman stepped forward. "Ohh dear Shoda… of course we forgive her. After your speech, I don't think we could be angry. And your efforts give us every reason to side with you."
Elmira stepped forward, chin high. "I am Elmira Cain. I am not my father. I am not my father's shadow. I am me, and I want you to understand this. I hope to get along with all of you as I grow to be a leader. I look forward to working with you."
The elder woman smiled proudly. "Wow… you grew strong so fast. I'm proud of you."
Elmira smiled softly. "Thank you. It's because of Shoda that I could find this strength."
Shoda patted the back of his head, chuckling lightly.
A few minutes later, the villagers dispersed, returning to their daily routines. Elmira lowered her gaze, feeling the weight of everything that had just happened.
Shoda gently took her hand. "Before you ask any questions, I want to take you somewhere else."
They left the busy intersection, heading toward the forest near the oasis. Mira leaned against a tree, winking at Shoda. He grinned and winked back. Mira huffed and looked away, pretending to ignore him.
The first step of their date had begun
Chapter 7 — Date Adventures and the Return
Shoda and Elmira ran through the forest path toward the oasis, the wind tugging at Elmira's silver-white hair. Why would he do all this for me? she thought. No one has ever helped me regain my honor or self-respect… why now?
They arrived at the oasis, a breathtaking sight. White daisies danced in the breeze, the lake shimmered in the sunlight, and a soft green pasture spread before them. Elmira stepped forward, the petals brushing her feet, and turned to Shoda.
"Shoda… dates are so much fun! Let's do this again sometime," she said, her eyes sparkling.
Shoda stood behind her, a smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah… they are," he replied softly.
A few minutes later, they settled on a blanket for their picnic. Elmira fidgeted, looking at Shoda. "What you did back there… it was amazing. You weren't scared at all."
Shoda puffed his chest out. "Yeah… I'm pretty awesome, aren't I?"
"You silly boy," she said, shaking her head.
They laughed, enjoying the scenery together, until a faint voice brushed against Shoda's mind: I still love you… and you love me…
"Huh?" he murmured, clutching his head. Who is this…?
Elmira noticed his discomfort. "Shoda… what's wrong?"
"It's… nothing," he said quickly. "Just the adrenaline wearing off."
Elmira tilted her head, concern in her eyes. "Shoda… why did you do all of that for me?"
Shoda sighed. "I thought I already told you…"
"No, I want to hear it again," she pressed.
"When I was alone, you helped me. When I was scared, you stayed. When I was tired and ready to give up, you gave me courage. You're the reason I keep moving, the reason I endure insults from Lysa and Mira. You… you're the reason I'm still here."
Elmira shook her head. "Don't be silly… I don't even remember most of that."
Shoda hung his head, disappointment clear. Half-truths… rewinds… she'll never remember…
Elmira's voice softened. "Even so… it helped. I have my honor back, thanks to you."
"No need to thank me," Shoda replied softly. "I would have done it anyway."
A gentle silence fell between them as the wind rustled the daisies. Then, Elmira asked, "Shoda… what am I to you?"
Shoda stood, looking down at her with a smile. "You're the sunshine that lights my day. The pancake that smiles in my pan. The sweetest iced tea I drink in the morning. You're… my everything."
Elmira blinked. "I… don't understand."
"Of course you don't," Shoda said gently. "Because you haven't noticed it yourself yet."
"I still don't…" she whispered.
Shoda grabbed her shoulders, his eyes firm. "I love you, Elmira. I will love you more and more each day. I will always love you, no matter what."
Her heart skipped beats. "Oh… Shoda… I don't know how to return those feelings."
"Try," he said with a small, teasing smile. "If you can't, I'll wait. I'll wait until you do."
Elmira smiled, tears brimming. "I'm… so sorry. You did all this for me, and I gave you nothing in return."
Shoda shook his head. "It's not nothing. I know you can still love me."
She took a deep breath. "I've been alone all my life… my father was busy with the kingdom, my mother… I barely knew her. Lucky… he's been my only companion for so long. I want to give love, Shoda, but I have to learn it first."
Shoda nodded. "I understand. That's fine. I'll wait… but for now, let's enjoy our date."
A montage followed: they frolicked in the oasis pasture, Elmira used her water magic to dive and catch fish, they grilled five together while Lucky snatched one and ran off, causing Elmira to laugh and Shoda to yell. They laughed, played, and enjoyed the golden sunset together.
Eventually, Elmira said, "We've enjoyed ourselves a lot… it's time to head home."
Shoda stood first. "Ladies first." He scooped her up gently, and they began walking back.
Their route, however, took an accidental detour—one that led them into a bad part of the forest. Seven Mana Hounds emerged, snarling.
"You bastards again! I'm gonna smash your heads in!" Shoda yelled.
Elmira raised her hands, light magic bursting forth, killing one instantly. The remaining six howled, enraged.
"Shoda! I'll take three! You take the others!" she commanded.
"Got it!" Shoda said, assessing the situation.
He led the Mana Hounds into a trap of his own making, letting them collide with trees and each other, taking down most of them. One attacked from behind, but Shoda's jacket shielded him just in time, leaving a scratch across his forehead.
Elmira's eyes widened. She blasted her Mana Hound into the ground and rushed to him, punching him down with a crater-shattering force.
"Close one… you're bleeding," she said.
"Yeah… got into a doozy," Shoda replied, wincing.
Elmira's hands glowed with healing light, repairing the wound instantly.
After two hours, the sun was nearly set when they arrived back at the mansion. Roderic stood outside, rushing to meet them. Shoda recounted the village scenario, the date, and the Mana Hound attack—carefully omitting his confession to Elmira.
Eldritch emerged, embracing his daughter and thanking Shoda for everything. Elmira healed Shoda one last time and patted his head before heading inside.
Mira, waiting at the door, gestured for Shoda to follow. He relayed everything about the date, the confession, and the day's events.
At 10:00 PM, Eldritch summoned everyone in the mansion, even Charlotte, who rarely attended.
"What is it, Eldritch? I was busy with research, if you must," she said.
"It will only take a minute," Eldritch replied. "We are traveling to the second great city of Astrae—Anruin. We will leave early in the morning. Are you all listening?"
"I will not go, if you must," Charlotte said firmly.
Shoda muttered, "She's being a snob."
Charlotte turned sharply. "What was that?"
"You're being selfish," Shoda said, trying not to smirk.
"Mind your own business, newcomer," Charlotte snapped. "I do not wish to speak with you. You are irritating. I do not want to see your face again."
Elmira whispered softly, "She doesn't hate you… she's just sad her research isn't going well."
Shoda tilted his head. "Her research…?
Elmira says "Even father doesn't know what it is?"
Shoda says"did she tell anyone or does anyone know about it"
"No," Elmira said. "She doesn't want to tell anyone."
Charlotte stalked up the stairs to her room. Eldritch called everyone to bed. Shoda, Mira, Tomas, Elmira, Lysa, Shun, and Roderic all retired to their rooms.
Roderic stopped Shoda briefly. "Don't take Charlotte's words to heart. She's just bitter."
Shoda chuckled. "Yeah… for her size, she sure is."
Roderic frowned. "That's… inappropriate. You should respect women."
"I'm not a ladies' man like you," Shoda said with a grin. "I'll leave it for tomorrow. See ya, Roderic."
And with that, everyone finally went to their rooms and drifted off to sleep, the mansion quiet under the fading light of the day.